Posthole digging machine



My 6, 1952 D. M. MANNING POSTHOLE DIGGING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 5, 1948 INVENTOR. mWmz may A T'TGIQNEV May 6, 1952 D. M. MANNING POSTHOLE DIGGING MACHINE Filed A ril 5. 1948 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Inn-n for: Dave MHaruzz'ny I A TTORNEU May 6, 1952 D. M. MANNING POSTHOLE mccmc MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed April 5, 1948 NNN lrzrerzi'or are M. Manning W I ,4 TTOR/YE) 6, 1952 D. M. MANNING 2,595,686

POSTHOLE DIGGING MACHINE Filed April s, 1948 e Sheets-Sheet 5 I II; -29 IT!" m1 r 1 25 I 1 1 iii ii Z5 Z6 [EH 1 I nvmiar Davefllfatzfzirzj W n A 'r Tom/E7 Patented May 6, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE POSTHOLE DIGGING MACHINE Dave M. Manning, Hysham, Mont.

Application April 5, 1948, Serial No. 19,116

6 Claims. 1

This invention relates generally to ambulatory power driven mechanism and pertains particularly to improvements in post hole diggers and especially diggers of this character which are designed to bore or drill relatively large holes in the ground as, for example, for setting up telephone poles or similar bodies.

A particular object of the present invention is to provide a post hole digging mechanism mounted upon a movable power plant such, for example, as a tractor, which has an extreme degree of flexibility whereby it is possible to drill holes into the earth perpendicular to the surface or at an angle thereto as may be desired regardless of the angular position of the tractor structure.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a post hole digging mechanism of the character stated, mounted upon an ambulatory power plant and having an earth boring auger and a novel means for transmitting power from the power plant to the auger whereby the shocks incident to the driving of the auger through earth of different layers or degrees of hardness, will be smoothly absorbed without danger of damaging in any way the power mechanism or the power transmitting means between such mechanism and the auger.

A still further and more specific object of the invention is to provide an earth drilling apparatus of the character stated which is mounted upon its own ambulatory power plant and wherein rotary motion is transmitted from the drive mechanism of the power plant to a rotatably supported auger through the medium of a multiplicity of driving belts or ropes.

Still another object of the invention is to provide in an earth boring machine of the character stated, means whereby the angular disposition of the earth boring auger may be readily altered with respect to the, surface or to bring the axis of the auger into perpendicular position in the event that the supporting mechanism is positioned on sloping ground, with novel means for maintaining the driving belts or ropes taut between the pulleys with which they are connected, whereby smooth uninterrupted flow of power from the power plant to the auger will be "maintained.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel take-up means for power belts connected between a pair of pulleys where such pulleys are supported for rotation on axes extending perpendicular to their turning axes. Still another-object of the invention iszto'pro- 2 vide an improved earth boring machine wherein a boring auger is mounted upon the front end of a tractor structure at one side thereof, with means for transmitting driving power from the tractor power take off along the other side of the tractor structure and across the front of the tractor to the auger/whereby the operator of the tractor may be positioned substantially directly behind the auger to have a clear view of the same to facilitate manipulation of the auger.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a construction of the character set forth in the preceding paragraph, wherein the auger is supported for oscillation in planes extending longitudinally of and transversely of the tractor structure.

Numerous other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent as the description of the same proceeds, and the invention will be best understood from a consideration of the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part of the specification, with the understanding, however, that the invention is not to be limited to the exact details of construction shown and described since obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a view in top plan of earth boring apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention and mounted upon a tractor power plant, the auger being in lowered position.

Figure 2 is a view in elevation of the right hand side of the structure, the auger being in raised or vertical position and the upper or top end thereof being broken away.

Figure 3 is a view in front elevation of the structure with the anger in vertical position, parts of the structure being broken away.

Figure 4 is a view in elevation of the left hand side of the tractor and earth boring mechanism mounted thereon, the auger being in vertical position with the upper part broken away.

Figure 5 is a sectional detail taken substantially on the line 5-5 of Figure 1.

Figure 6 is a sectional detail taken substantially on the line 6-5 of Figure 1.

Figure '7 is a sectional detail taken substantially on the line 1-1 of Figure 1.

Figure 8 is a section taken substantially on the line 88 of Figure 1.

Figure 9 is a sectional view taken substantially ,on the- 1ine -S -9 of Figures.

Figure is a sectional view taken substantially on the line |0|0 of Figure 3.

Figure 11 is a vertical section taken substantially on the line |l-|| of Figure 3.

Figure 12 is a plan view of the belt length adjuster or compensator connected between the auger pulley box and the front pulley supporting means at the front end of the mechanism.

Figure 13 is a view in side elevation of one form of auger.

Figure 14 is a view in bottom plan of the auger.

Figure 15 is a view in side elevation of a second form of auger designed for use in rocky or stony ground.

Figure 16 is an enlarged sectional detail of a part of the auger structure shown in Figure 15.

Figure 17 is a detail view on an enlarged scale of the coupling between the lower part of the auger mast and the power unit employed for moving the mast and auger shaft from vertical to horizontal position and vice versa.

Figure 18 is a diagrammatic detail showing the connections between the power take off drums, the power transmitting belts and the control cables.

Figure 19 is a fragmentary detail showing a portion of the mast in elevation and illustrating the plumbing means carried thereby.

Figure 20 is a detail section taken vertically through the top end of the auger stem showing the connections between the runner and the stem and pulley sheave carried by the runner.

Figure 21 is a detailed view on an enlarged scale showing the hook connection between the pulley box at the base of the mast and the free end of the thrust cable.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings the numeral It) generally designates the movable power plant upon which the present post hole digger is mounted, which power plant is here shown as in the form of a tractor having caterpillar tracks I The side beams of the chassis frame of the tractor structure are designated l2 and across the front thereof is secured the usual heavy steel bumper l3.

The tractor structure upon which the present post hole digger mechanism is mounted is of a standard make or type having the rearwardly extending frame portion I4 in which is mounted a power take off mechanism which is generally designated l5 and which includes the superimposed cable drums l8 and I! upon one side and a belt pulley I 8 upon the other or right hand side which pulley, in the carrying out of the present invention, is of the multiple groove type designed to have applied thereto a multiple belt or rope drive generally designated 23. The pulley I8 is mounted to rotate on a vertical axis as are also the cable drums l6 and H and the control of the pulley and drums is effected by the levers 2| and 22 which'are manipulated by an occupant of the vehicle on the seat 23 to shift suitable clutch mechanism (not shown) whereby selective coupling of the pulley and drums with the power take-off is effected.

No details are shown or are believed necessary in connection with the power take-off mechanism by which the desired rotary power is transmitted to the drums l6 and H and the pulley I8 as this mechanism is standard equipment as also is the means for starting and stopping the drums and the pulley. The alteration from standard power take off means in the present case consists inthe substitution of the multiple groove pulley NS for a standard type of pulley, if such multiple groove pulley is not initially present with the other parts of the power take oflf mechanism.

Upon the right hand side of the tractor structure and extending throughout substantially the entire length thereof is a belt pulley supporting platform which is generally designated 24. This platform comprises, preferably though not necessarily, the two spaced parallel channel beams 25 which are disposed on edge with their channels in opposed relation as shown in Figure 5, having disposed between them and welded or otherwise secured to the bottom flanges of the channels, the plate 26. These beams 25 at their forward ends are secured to a supporting apron or bracket 21 which extends downwardly toward and is mounted on and secured to the front bumper of the vehicle as shown in Figure 2, preferably through the medium of the beam 28 which is welded to the apron plate 21 and rests upon the top of the bumper as shown.

At the rear of the machine the channel beams 25 are welded to a transverse back beam 29 which extends a substantial distance laterally beyond the left hand side of the machine where it supports a pillow block 30 upon which rests the upper end of the hereinafter described auger mast when the latter is in lowered or horizontal position.

The apron 27 is extended upwardly a substantial distance above the channel beams 25 to provide a bearing plate 3| and the top edge of this plate is formed to provide a bearing cradle which coacts with the cap 33 for securing in position an end of a shaft, hereinafter described.

At the opposite end of the platform 24 there is a corresponding upstanding bearing plat 34 which is formed to provide a bearing cradle 35 over which is'secured a cap 36 for the purpose hereinafter described.

The numeral 3! generally designates a fixed pulley frame which is secured to and at the rear end of the platform 24 and rotatably mounted in a vertical position within this frame 31 is a double, multiple groov pulley which is generally designated 33 and which includes the lower cylindrical portion 39 and the upper cylindrical portion, of larger diameter, designated 40. The smaller lower portion of this pulley 38 is connected by the multiple rope drive 20 with the power delivering pulley l8.

Substantially midway between the ends of the platform 24 there is located the vertically positioned movable pulley frame or box Which is generally designated 4|. Mounted within this frame or box 4| for rotation on a vertical axis is a multiple groove pulley 42. This central pulley frame or box 4| rests upon and is secured to the platform plate 26 in a suitable manner as by means of stud bolts and nuts 43, to facilitate adjusting the position of the frame 4| slightly longitudinally of the platform.

The central pulley frame or box 4| is connected to the fixed rear frame 31 by a shaft 44, one end of which passes through the bearin support 35. The other end is joined to the rear side of the frame or box 4| by the adjustment collar 45 through the medium of which the frame 4| can be shifted toward or away from the rear frame 3'! whereby to tighten or loosen the rope drive 46 which connects the upper portion 40 of the pulley 38 with the central portion of the pulley 42, as illustrated in Figure 2.

The numeral 41 generally designates the side compensating shaft by means of which automatic shortening or lengthening of the hereinafter described side drive belts is effected when one of the belt pulleys is turned on a center perpendicular to its rotary axis. This compensating shaft 41 has the two telescopically coupled parts or sections 48 and 49, the section 49 being shown secured atone end as at 49' to the forward side of the shiftable pulley box or frame 4| and slidably extending into the outer section 48.

The'outer section 48 of the side compensating shaft extends through and is rotatably supported in the bearing cradle of the forward bearing plate 3| and is rigidly secured to one vertical side of a vertically positioned rectangular pulley box which is generally designated 50. This pulley box 58 has mounted therein the vertical shaft 5| on which is supported for rotation the multiple groove pulley '52.

As previously stated the central part of the pulley 42 has the multiple rope belt 45 connected therewith and above and below this belt 46, the central pulley 42 has passing therearound the multiple rope belts 53 which extend forwardly to and pass around the upper and lower portions of the forward pulley 52.

The pulley 52 and the pulley box 58 in which it is rotatably mounted are designed to be turned on the axis of the side compensating shaft 4'! during certain operations of the present machine which turning or rotation will impart 'a twist to the belts 53, tending to shorten the same and to a pull the pulleys 42 and 52 together. This shortening of the distance between the rotary centers for the pulleys 42 and 52 is compensated for by the camming elements 54 and 55 which are secured respectively to the telescopically associated sections 48 and 49 of the compensating shaft 41 as shown particularly in Figure 8.

The camming element 54 is in the form of a relatively long sleeve which is threaded on the shaft section 48 as indicated at 55 and which is secured in set position, by a fastening or set screw 51. The other camming element 55 is in the form of a short collar which is secured on the inner section 49 and may also be secured in a suitable manner to the adjacent vertical side of the pulley frame 4|. The opposing end edges of these camming elements 54 and 55 are contoured to provide high and low points, such high and low points beingv designated 54' and 54" respectively for the element 54 which is carried by the shaft section 43 while the high and low points for the camming element 55 are respectively designated 55 and 55". These camming elements are set, by longitudinally adjusting the element 54 on the shaft section 48, so that when the maximum tension is appliedto the belts 53 and the turning axes for the pulleys 42 and 52 are parallel, as shown in Figure 1, one high point 54' will be on or moved toward the high point 55' of the other element. When the pulley box 58 is turned the opposing high points of the camming elements will separate thereby permitting the necessary short movement of the pulley 52 toward the pulley 42 to compensate for the shortening of the belts 53.

As shown in Figure 7 the bearing plate 3| is cut away as indicated at 3| to allow for the passage of the lower belt 53, the upper belt 53 passing above the bearing plate 3| as shown.

Upon the left hand side of the machine, as

' shown in Figure 4, there is secured a platform 58 upon the forward end of which is an upstandin wall 59. Connected to this wall upon the forward side thereof, by a universal coupling.

is anzend. of asbracetarm filiawhichnextends for-- wardly and terminates approximately over the bumper of the machine. The forward end of this brace arm has secured thereto and depending below the same, the hanger pin 62.

The numeral 63 generally designates a relatively long yoke which comprises the straight back portion 64, at one end of which extends the forwardly and upwardly extending arm Which terminates in the bearing 66. At the other end of the back portion 64 of the yoke is the relatively long laterally and forwardly extending leg 61 which terminates in. the upwardly extending arm 68. The top end of this arm 68 carries the bearing collar 69.

As shown in Figures 1 and 3 the yoke 83 is disposed transversely of the front of the machine at the left hand side and the hanger pin 62 is extended through and secured to the back part 64 and the upwardly extending arms 65 and 68 are positioned so that the bearings 66 and 69 are in alignment across the front of the machine.

Secured to and extending longitudinally of the brace arm 6| are the longitudinally extending spaced parallel bed plates 18, the top longitudinal edges of which lie in aplane a substantial distance above the top of the brace arm 6 I. The inner one of these bed plates 18 has secured thereto at its forward end and upon the side thereof nearest to the power plant or engine, a coupling knuckle H with which is connected the socket head 12 which is carried upon the upper end of a substantially vertically disposed power cylinder 13. This power cylinder encloses a piston, not shown, from which extends downwardly the piston rod '14, the lower end of which rod carries the hearing socket 15 which is secured to the mounting knuckle 16 carried by the bumper l3 of the tractor machine. This piston and cylinder power unit support the forward end of the brace arm 6|, the yoke structure 63 and other parts about to be described.

The numeral 11 generally designates the front belt compensating shaft which is similar in construction to the shaft 4'! previously described. This front shaft 11 comprises the inner and outer telescopically joined sections '18 and 19 respectively, Figure 12, the inner section 18 being secured at one end to a pulley fork which comprises the spaced parallel arms 8| and the intermediate connecting portion 82, to which latter portion the shaft section i8 is attached as shown in Figure 3. This fork 80 receives between the arms 8| the ends of the shaft 5|, about which the pulley 52 rotates, and it also receives between the arms 8| the forward pulley box 58 as is shown in Figures'l and 3.

The shaft sections 18 and 19 carrythe camming elements 83 and 84 which correspond in form and action to the elements 54 and 55. As shown in Figure 12 the element 83 is in the form of a relatively long sleeve which is threaded upon the shaft section 19 and secured in position by the set screw 85. The other camming element 84 is fixed to the adjacent side 82 of the fork 88 so that when the. shaft section 19 is turned upon the section 18 the opposing camming edges of the elements 83 and 84 will ride one upon the other to lengthen or shorten the effective length of the shaft 11.

In Figure 12 the elements 83 and 84 are shown in the positions which they will assume when the shaft is at its minimum length as, for example,

when the hereinafter described pulley box and auger mast have been turneddown-to the position in which they are shown in Figure 1. This action twists the driving belt, about to be described.

The high and low points of the camming element 83 are designated respectively 83 and 83" and the corresponding high and low points of the camming element 84 are designated respectively B4 and 84".

The numeral 86 generally designates a box having one side wall 81 provided with belt openings 88 while the opposite side wall carries a trunnion 89a with which the bearing 66, carried upon the outer end of the arm 65, is pivotally connected.

The outer end of the outer section I9 of the front belt compensating shaft 11 is rigidly secured to the center of the wall 81 and thus it will be seen that the box 86 together with the shaft I1, is rotatably supported between the arms 85 and 68 of the yoke 63.

The box 86 houses a vertically positioned multiple groove belt pulley 89 which is rotatably mounted between the top and bottom walls 90 and 9! respectively of the box 88. This pulley 89 constitutes the auger shaft pulley andv is operatively connected with the pulley 52 by the multiple rope belt 92 which, as shown in Figure 3, extends across the front of the machine parallel with the front belt compensating shaft 11.

The auger pulley 89 is maintained in proper vertical position by suitable bearing, not shown, and this pulley has extending axially therethrough the auger stem passage 93, of polygonal cross section, and the top and bottom wall plates 90 and SI of the pulley box 86 carry suitable guide collars 94 which rotate with the auger stem pulley 89 and have openings of corresponding form for the extension therethrough and through the pulley 89 of the relatively long auger stem 95.

Numeral 96 designates the auger stem guide mast which is mounted upon the top 90 of the pulley box 86. This mast, as shown in Figure 10 is of rectangular cross section and hollow, being preferably formed of the two long channel iron members 91 positioned in spaced relation with their channels opposed thus providing the opposite longitudinal opening 98 as shown most clearly in Figures 3 and 10. The top ends of the channel members 9'! are connected by a head plate 99 and at suitable points between the top and bottom ends of the mast, U-shaped brackets I are placed to engage three sides of the mast, as shown in Figure 10, whereby to effectively maintain the channel members in the proper spaced relation.

, By the provision of the opposing channel members the mast provides a hollow guide for a runner block IOI which is swivelly coupled to the upper end of the auger stem 95.

The openings 98 which extend throughout the length of the mast, are at the front and rear sides of the mast and accordingly the operator occupying the seat 23, can look through the mast and see the position of the auger runner I0 I.

Upon the lower end of the auger stem 95, below the pulley box 86, is fixed an earth boring element or auger which is generally designated I02.

This auger is here shown as having the two bits or cutting edges I03 extending radially from diametrically opposite sides of the penetrating point I84. One bit or cutting edge forms an integral part of the helical blade I05 which forms one complete turn or convolution around the auger hub I06 while the other bit or cutting edge forms .the lower end of the blade I01 which'makesj a half ,turn around thehub-in the convolution ofggthe 8 blade I05. The bits or cutting edges I03 are each shown as reinforced by the replaceable knife I08.

.Mounted upon the bed plates I0 at the rear ends thereof, in a bearing I09a, is a power cylinder I09 which extends forwardly as shown in Figure 11. This power cylinder has a piston, not shown, with which is connected a forwardly extending piston rod H0 and the outer or forward end of this rod IIO carries a bearing socket III which engages a bearing knuckle I I2 which is secured to and extends laterally from the inner side of the pulley box 86 as shown in Figures 10 and 11.

Upon reference to Figure 11 it will be seen that when fluid is introduced under pressure into the power cylinder I6 a down thrust will be applied through the piston rod I4 to the fixed knuckle I6 to effect the raising or lifting of the mast, the cylinder box 86, auger 82 and other parts adjacent to the outer end of the shaft 11. These parts will move upwardly in an arch around the center of the shaft 41. By this means it will be seen that if the tractor machine or power plant must be positioned upon sloping ground the mast can be shifted to a position where it will be perpendicular and the auger can then be driven straight down into the ground.

In addition to this lateral tilting which may be imparted to the mastby means of the power cylinder I3 fore and aft tilting movement may be given to the mast by means of the power cylinder I09 as, by means of the piston rod IIO when moved inwardly or outwardly it will be seen that the mast will rock forwardly or rearwardly about the center of the shaft I'I.

When the lateral tilting of the mast is called for the pulley box 50 will be turned on the center of the shaft 41 as previously described and consequently the belts 53 will be given a twist. Such twisting of the belts from the vertical operation positions in which they are shown in Figures 1 and 2 will necessarily shorten the distance between the centers of rotation for the pulleys 42 and 52 and such shortening is permitted by the reciprocatory movement of the contacting high points 54' and 55' of the camming elements 54 and 55. In the same way, when the fore and aft tilting of the mast is called for thus creating a twisting of the belt 92 from its normal vertical position in which it is shown in Figures 2 and 3, a slight shortening between the rotary centers of the pulleys 52 and 89 is required, which shortening is permitted by the relative turning movement of the contacting high points 83' and 84' of the camming elements 83 and 84. Figure 3 shows these high points in contact whereas Figure 12 shows the complete separation of the high points of the camming elements such as occurs when the mast is swung down or lowered to a horizontal, inoperative position as it is shown in Figure l.

The power cylinders I3 and I99 are operated by fluid pressure and are under the control of a distributing valve unit which is generally designated H3 and which is of standard construction and known in the trade as a Vickers control unit." The controlling fluid is withdrawn from a suitable reservoir I I4 by means of a standard rotary pump II5 which is operated from a part of the power plant and discharged from the pump to the control unit from which it is selectively distributed through the hose lines H6 and :II respectively to the power cylinders 13 and The rais,ing 0.f the auger I02 after completing the drilling of a hole, is accomplished by means of the lift cable H8 which is swivelly connected as at I I9 to the top of a sheave cage I23 which is mounted upon the runner IIJI-of the auger stem. This cable II 8 is passed upwardly over a head sheave I 2| mounted upon the head block of the mast and is extended downwardly to and beneath the sheave I22 which is mounted at the base of the mast and from this it extends rearwardly as shown in Figure 4 around a horizontal pulley I23, to one of the cable drums as, for example, the cable drum I6, shown in Figure 18. It will thus be seen that by Winding up the cable II8 on the drum I6 the auger stem and the auger will be lifted or drawn upwardly from the ground when the mast is in upright or working position.

Downward thrust is applied to the auger stem to force the auger downwardly into the ground, through the medium of the cable I24 which at one end carries a hook I25 which is detachably connected with an eye I26 carried by the pulley box 86 at the front side thereof as shown in Figures 1 and 3. This cable extends lengthwise of the mast, passing in through the mast openings 98 and across a sheave I2! which is rotatably mounted in the cage I20 upon the auger runner IIlI. From this sheave this cable I24 extends downwardly on the rear side of the mast to the foot pulley or sheave I28, passing under this sheave and extending rearwardly to a pair of angularly disposed pulleys I29 around which it is passed to .then extend across to the other cable drum I1. Since the two cables H8 and I24 lie substantially parallel and one above the other between their respective pulleys I23 and I29, and the drumsv I6 and H, the two pulleys I29 are arranged as stated so that the cable I24 will first pass down over one pulley, which is mounted on a substantially horizontal axis, and under the other pulley lying below and mounted also on a substantially horizontal axis disposed perpendicular to the axis of the overlying pulley. Thus the cable I24 is caused to make the necessary turn at a lower elevation than the cable I I8. It will be readily apparent that when the cable I24 is wound up on its drum a downward thrust will be applied to the upper end of the runner upon the upper end of the auger stem 95 and the auger will be forced downwardly into the ground while it is rotated by power transmitted from the power supplying pulley I8 through the belts 46, 53 and 92 to the auger stem pulley 89.

By disconnecting the outer end of the auger stem thrust cable I 24 from the pulley box 86, use may be made of this end of the cable for lifting poles into position to be stepped into the the hole, after the auger has made the same, by looping the hook end I25 of the cable around the pole and connecting the hook with the cable. In the performance of such an operation the cable would extend laterally and downwardly at an angle with respect to the mast and in order to prevent undue wear both upon the cable and the mast structure, there are provided on the forward side of the mast and adjacent to the top, the long rollers I30 across one of which the cable I24 will move.

In order that the operator of the machine may be able to determine when the mast is in a vertical position there is provided upon the rear inside of the mast adjacent to the upper end thereof, the pendulum I3I which is suspended by a cord I32 from a pin I33 secured to the side of the mast. This pendulum swings free from the side of the mast when the mast is vertical and the pendulum extends through a ring I34 which is disposed in a plane oblique to the horizontal so that the operator, occupying the seat, may look forwardly through the ring and can see when the pendulum extends through approximately the center of the ring, that the mast is vertical.

Figures 15 and 16 illustrate a modified auger construction. This auger is particularly designed for use in boring into earth which is gravelly or in the form of a shale where there is need for a means for preventing the loosely packed earth slipping back down the auger blade. In drilling in gravel or shale with an earth of the character herein shown, there is a tendency for the loose material to shift back down between the blades of the auger instead of being-worked up to the surface as is the case when boring or drilling into packed earth. At the present time, use is made of an auger having a movable or pivoted valve plate secured to the underside of one of the helical blades, above the cutting or bit edge of the auger but this construction is not entirely satisfactory for the reason that if a relatively large stone becomes jammed between the bottom edge of the valve plate and the bottom convolution of the auger blade the complete valve plate is held open and space is left at the sides of the jammed stone which permits the gravel to shift back down across the cutting edge of the blade.

In order to overcome this condition there is provided an auger construction of the character shown in Figures 15 and 16 wherein the complete auger is generally designated I35. In such an auger there are provided the two spaced convolute blades I36 and I31, the blade I36 making a complete turn around the hub portion I38 of the auger while the blade I31 makes a half turn as shown. One end of the semi-convolute blade I31 is spaced from and disposed directly above the cutting edge or bit I39 of the complete convolute blade I36 and secured to this edge of the blade I31, which edge is designated I31, is the radially extending bar I40 which carries a plurality of hanging fingers I4 I. These fingers I 41 may be formed of wire cable of suitable weight or stiffness and extend downwardly to the top surface of the underlying blade I36 as shown. With this construction, as will be readily seen, if a rock or stone of large size is forced between the blades past the fingers MI and then becomes fixed, it will only hold out of position those fingers with which it is directly in contact and the other fingers will remain in the depending position to prevent reverse flow of gravel or shale.

From the'foregoing it will be seen that there is provided in the present invention an earth drilling'or boring machine in which the drilling auger is entirely belt driven and because of this type of drive connection between the power source and the rotating auger stem, an extreme flexibility is given to the mechanism whereby shocks and jars incident to the cutting of the auger into the earth will be fully absorbed.

As previously stated, by placing the drilling auger at the left hand side of the machine and carrying the driving connections along the right side and across the front of the machine, the operator of the machine can occupy a position upon the tractor seat in which he will have a full and unobstructed view of the auger mast and auger and can therefore watch the progress of the earth boring operation.

When the machine is out of use or being shifted from one position to another, the mast can be lowered through the action of the power cylinder 09, to a completely horizontal position as it is illustrated in Figure 1 and when in this position the upper end of the mast will lie or rest upon the pillow block 30 which extends outwardly from the left hand side of the machine at the rear thereof. During this lowering action of the mast the front belt 92 will be given a half twist and the consequent shortening of the belt as a result of this twisting will be permitted or compensated for by the action of the camming elements 83 and 84, the high points of such elements being shifted away from one another so as to permit a telescoping or closing up of the shaft sections 18 and 19. When the mast is returned to vertical position as it is shown in Figure 1, the high points of these camming elements 83 and 84 will ride one on to the other and elongate the shaft 11 to move apart the pulleys 52 and 89 to the proper extent to maintain the necessary tension on the belt. As previously described corresponding action takes place in connection with the belts 53 when the mast and the yoke structure 63 and 96 are moved vertically in an arcuate path by the action of the upward thrusting power unit 13 whereby such parts are turned around the shaft 41 as a center. The shortening of the belts 53 and the lengthening of the same during such action is taken care of by the camming elements 54 and 55 as previously described.

I claim:

1. An earth drilling machine of the character described, comprising in combination with a tractor structure having a power take-off means, a pair of rotatable members disposed at one, side of the tractor structure and spaced apart longitudinally of the structure, a single rotatable member disposed at the front of the tractor and upon the opposite side thereof from the first members, a driving connection between the pair of rotatable members, a driving connection between the forward one of the pair of rotatable members and the single rotatable member, said rotatable members being supported to turn on vertical axes, means for transmitting rotary power from the power take-off to the rear one of the pair of rotatable members, the said single one of the rotatable members having a passage of jpolygonal cross section formed axially therethrough, an auger stem of the same polygonal cross section as said passage and slidably extending through the passage of the single rotatable member, an earth auger secured to the lower end of saidstem, means for applying a down thrust to said auger stem, means for effecting lifting of the auger stem, the said forward one of .the pair of rotatable members being supported for turning movement about an axis perpendicular to its axis of rotation, means supporting the said single rotatable member for turning on an. axis perpendicular to its axis of rotation and also perpendicular to the axis of turning for the said forward one of the pair .of .rotatable members and power means for turning the said forward one of the pair of rotatable members on the second mentioned axis and power means for turning the said single one of the rotatable members on the said turning axis therefor.

12 tractor having a rear end power take-off means, a pair of belt pulleys mounted at one side of the tractor in spaced relation longitudinally thereof to rotate on vertical axes, a belt drive connecting the pulleys, means for imparting rotary motion to the rear one of the pulleys from said power take-off means, a relatively long yoke member disposed at the forward end of the tractor upon the opposite side from the pulleys and extending transversely of the front of the tractor, said yoke member having a pair of upwardly directed spaced arms, a frame supported between said arms for turning movement on an axis extending transversely of the machine, a pulley rotatably supported in said frame for rotation on an axis perpendicular to the turning axis for the frame, a belt drive connecting the forward one of the pair of pulleys with the last mentioned pulley, an auger stem extending axially through the last mentioned pulley for sliding movement therethrough, the last mentioned pulley and the auger stem being held against relative turning movement, an auger carried upon the lower end of said stem, means for effecting the turning of the frame, the last mentioned pulley, the auger stem and auger around the turning axis for the frame, and means for compensating for the shortening of the belt resulting from twisting the belt upon the stated turning of the frame.

3. In an earth drilling machine, in combination with a tractor having a rear end power take-off, a pair of multiple groove pulley wheels supported upon one side of the tractor in spaced relation longitudinally thereof for rotation on vertical axis, an intermediate multiple groove pulley wheel rotatably supported for turning on a vertical axis between the first pulley wheels, a multiple rope belt between the power take-off and a portion of the rear one of the pair of pulley wheels, a multiple rope belt between a portion of the rear pulley wheel and the intermediate pulley wheel, a multiple rope belt between the intermediate pulley wheel and the forward one of the pair of pulley wheels, a shaft interposed between the intermediate and forward pulley wheels, the forward pulley wheel being connected to the shaft to turn on the axis of the shaft perpendicular to its rotation axis, means whereby the shaft will automatically shorten and lengthen upon the turning of the forward pulley wheel on the axis of the shaft, a single multiple groove pulley wheel supported in spaced relation across the front of the tractor from said forward pulley wheel for rotation on a vertical axis, a multiple rope belt coupling the single pulley wheel and said forward pulley wheel, a shaft interposed between the forward and the single pulley wheels and coupled with the single pulley wheel whereby the single pulley wheel may turn on the shaft axis perpendicular to its rotation axis, means whereby the last mentioned shaft will automatically shorten and lengthen upon the turning of the single pulley wheel on the axis of the last shaft, an auger stem slidably extending axially through the single pulley wheel and connected thereto to turn therewith, an auger carried by said stem, means for effecting movement of the stem inwardly and outwardly through the single pulley wheel, power means for moving the single pulley wheel, stem and auger in an arc having the first shaft as its center and for turning the forward pulley wheel on said'center, and power means for turning the single pulley wheel, stem and auger on the axial center for the second shaft.

4. An earth drilling machine comprising in combination with a tractor having a rear power take-off, a yoke unit having two spaced arms, a supporting means for the yoke unit at one side of the tractor and at the front thereof, a pulley box supported between said arms for turning on an axis extending transversely of the tractor, means connected with the yoke whereby the pulley box may be moved in a vertical are having its center at the opposite side of the tractor, a pulley in said box for rotation on an axis perpendicular to the first axis, means for transmitting driving power from the power take-oil forwardly along said side and across the front of the tractor to said pulley, power means for turning the box on said first axis, power means for moving the box in said arc, an auger stem freely shiftable axially through said pulley but held against rotation independently thereof, an auger upon the lower end of the stem, and means for moving the stem longitudinally through the pulley.

5. An earth drilling machine comprising in combination with a tractor having a power takeoff, a fixed member at the front of the tractor, a power unit having two relatively movable parts, one of said parts being attached to said member and the other part extending upwardly from the attached part, means for operating the power unit to extend and retract one of said parts relative to the other, a relatively long yoke unit having a long back part and upwardly extending end arms, a brace arm having one end loosely coupled to the tractor and extending forwardly, means coupling the back part of said yoke unit with the forward end of said brace arm for maintaining the yoke unit in position across the front of the tractor, said power unit having the said other part coupled to the thrust arm to support the same and to impart lift to the forward end of the thrust arm and the yoke, a long shaft supported between said arms for turning on an axis extending transversely of the tractor, a mast supported on one end of the mast, an earth auger upon the lower end of the stem, means for swinging the mast and structure on said turning axis of the structure, means for transmitting rotary power from the power take-01f to said pulley, and means for imparting outward and inward longitudinal movement to said auger stem and auger.

6. An earth drilling machine of the character stated in claim 5, with means connected with said shaft at the end thereof remote from the mast and providing a turning center perpendicular to the turning axis for the structure and extending longitudinally of the tractor, and said power unit functioning upon the extension of one of said parts to lift the forward end of said brace arm, the yoke unit and parts carried thereby in an arcuate path having said last named center as its turning center.

DAVE M. MANNING.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the 

